Those are the chances that Joe Paterno is going to start a true freshman at quarterback next year, especially with a road game in Week Two at Alabama.

Folks, as Brent Musburger might say, it could be time to take that chance in the name of Paul Jones, a would-be high school senior who enrolled at Penn State early and threw two touchdown passes in today's Blue-White intrasquad game at Beaver Stadium. Jones seemed poised -- like a natural back there -- as he had a handul of other strong, accurate passes, including one that would have been a TD reception had Justin Brown not dropped a catchable ball.

Of course, you can't declare a starting quarterback off 14 spring practices and an intrasquad game, but you would think that Jones, a top ten national QB recruit, would deserve a real chance to land the starting job this fall -- even though JoePa would scoff at the idea.

Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin -- the two leading QB candidates -- did little to distinguish themselves in Saturday's game, won by the Blue, 17-3. McGloin is supposed to be the better passer of the two, but he did not look good (two interceptions). That's why -- and again based on just this game -- I would go with Newsome over McGloin. If they both are erratic at passing -- and Newsome was way off target on the long ball, usually not even in the same zip code -- then you should go with the better runner, which is Newsome.

If I had to bet, and Lord knows I'm a betting man, I would bet that Newsome gets the start and that Penn State throws a handful of QB running plays into its game plan. (A return to the Michael Robinson era.) As Matt Millen said on TV today, Penn State is going to have to rely on its running game and defense in 2010. And that is true regardless of who lands the starting QB job.

But that leads back to Mr. Jones. I believe Jones has much more potential to develop into a legitimate passing threat, possibly even a great passer. So, if at first you are relying on the defense and run game, that in turn would give Jones time to develop. He could be a three- or four-year starter and a real force by, say, 2011.

Yet, you say, Jones would be a true freshman. So what? Newsome threw just 11 passes last year. McGloin played even less. They're all gonna have happy feet out there in the beginning.

So, Jones could be the man. (At least until I see how the other top-flight QB recruit, Robert Bolden, fares.)

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Curtis Dukes looks like he's going to be next year's short-yardage back, as he can definitely move the pile. And he's exciting in the open field, too. He could be a real weapon.

Running back Silas Redd showed some flashes, too, even shedding some tackles. Penn State's coaches have a difficult decision to make, whether or not to redshirt Redd. The RB rotation of Evan Royster, Stephfon Green and Curtis Dukes looks good enough to me, in addition to transfer Hykeem Brodie if needed. It is likely last year's No. 3 running back, Brandon Beachum, will be redshirted as he recovers from surgery.

The crowd of 55,000 was no doubt hurt by the telecast on TV. Otherwise, the nice weather would have resulted in a 70,000-plus crowd.

Shawney Kersey, who caught both of Jones' TD passes, impressed.

It looks like the move of Gerry Gilliam from defensive end to tight end is a good one. Gilliam seemed to gain some separation on passing routes. Andrew Szczerba remains the leading candidate to start at tight end in the fall.

Best guess at starting linebackers next fall: Chris Colasanti in the middle and Bani Gbadyu and Mike Mauti on the outside. But someone might have to make room for Nathan Stupar, who is a playmaker, as he proved again on Saturday. Gerald Hodges looks like a comer, too, at outside linebacker.

Russell Nye looks like the top punting candidate. He didn't particularly get a lot of hang time, but he did better than wideout Graham Zug, also being tried out as punter.

Chaz Powell, now at cornerback, dropped a would-be interception in the flat. JoePa on TV said Powell has a chance to be a good corner. I wonder if he will end up as the nickel. Or, if he beats out incumbent at D'Anton Lynn at corner, maybe they'll move Lynn to safety. I happen to like Lynn, who started all last fall as a true soph, yet there were rumors of a possible transfer.

Good to see some of the D-backs recruited in the Class of 2009 on the field: Malcolm Willis, Stephen Obeng-Agyapong, Derrick Thomas and Mike Wallace. Of course, the jewel of that DB class is Stephon Morris, who will start at corner next fall.

Listen, nobody loves Happy Valley more than I do, but the tidal wave of promotional commercials for Penn State during the ESPN2 telecast was way overboard, which is where I felt like jumping after about the 27th time I heard somebody gush "We Are Penn State." Moderation, please.

Current Comments

I think you have to give Newsome a shot this year but I would keep him on a short leash.

Posted By: Tom | Apr 24, 2010 7:03:30 PM

The pattern is clear. All of this nonsense about choosing the best QB is very conditional. The upper classman plays.

Who was it?

Zack Mills? or Michael Robinson?

..and we know where Zack Mills ended up...we had to endure two years of mediocrity/incompetence on the field when better sat on the bench.

Anthony Morelli? or Daryll Clark?

big guns, tiny play brain, little else. Then we got to see what Clark could do and was capable of at the Alamo Bowl in his brief stint on the field.

Paul Jones? or Newsome? or McGloin?

To be fair, it IS still early...this time.

In Joe's playbook, unless there is no one else, if you do not have enough bench riding time, you simply do not play. It is the main reason why great QB's choose to go to other teams. Why wait around when you know that you WILL play as a younger player elsewhere. I'm not buying that the best QB is always on the field at PSU. History disproves it. Joe Pa is a student of history so he knows the real truth.

Posted By: Staberdearth | Apr 25, 2010 6:55:04 AM

I was at the game and you are right Joe needs to give Jones all the chances.

Posted By: mmmo | Apr 26, 2010 9:16:43 PM

I have been a PSU fan for 40 years, and your right JoePa would sooner retire then play a true freshman at QB. But I believe this should be the year to start a new trend. Jones had some trouble with his footwork when releasing the ball, but it did not seem to bother his accuracy. If Newsome or McGloin can get their act together by fall then give them their shot, but if the season started tomorrow Jones should be the man.

Posted By: David Brodhecker | Apr 27, 2010 11:38:41 AM

Most successful teams have a quaterback with 3 to 4 years of experience. This isn't the case at PSU. Joe pa should sacrafice a year and play Jones who will undoubtly be pretty good by the middle of the season and good by the end, thereby having a star in the coming years.